US internet advertising revenue rose by a healthy 20.9% taking 2003 total revenue to $7.3 billion , this is up $1.3 billion in 2002, according to a new report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC)/Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB).
Keyword search contributed to 35% of revenue in 2003, this is up from 15% in 2002. Classified made up 17%, again up from 15% in 2002. The only sector to see a decline this year was ad banners which fell to 21% from 29%.
Consumer brand advertisers made up the largest category of spending at 37% of 2003 revenues, this is up from 32% in 2002. Computing advertisers followed in second place by contributing 20% to ad spending. Pete Petrusky, director, PWC said: “The increased strength in consumer spending categories relative to other sectors underscores the acceptance of online advertising by traditional advertisers and consumers alike.”